San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

I fished with an individual on Mission Bay who told me there is a regulation float tubers have to wear a certain amount of safety red/orange on their person (he wore an orange hat to be in "compliance").

Was wondering if this is legit or not. If it is legit, does it apply to Mission Bay or all San Diego/California waters? Does it apply just to float tubers or kayakers also? I can't find anything on the Internet that addresses this, so wondering if he was mistaken or quoting an outdated regulation. It sounds like a good idea in general, but is it required? Thanks guys!

BTW, I usually fly an orange safety flag when tubing for visibility to other boaters. It also has a light which helps when dark. My tube is darkish green, I probably should have gotten a more visible color.

I’ve seen the rule posted at many water ways for a certain size of orange marking on a tube. Most used to come with orange on back rests. I Always camo’d my tubes, especially the orange and never once have been questioned. I believe that rule as well as distance from shore and life jacket applies to city lakes not bays or ocean. I’ve never been question for any of the above since my 30 years of tubing. Only enforcement-waders… go figure

The Lake Miramar website mentions float tubers must have a horn or whistle. That rule is most likely never enforced either.

Never once been questioned about colors on a float tube. Or whistle, life preserver or distance to shore. I have been stopped for license check twice while on the tube.

If someone doesn't notice a float tube with five 7' rods sticking up in the air, they likely won't notice a small patch of orange.

I do carry a whistle and the seat or back cushion would suffice for a life preserver. And I avoid boat traffic. Now, if only the idiot jet skiers would avoid me and stop cutting between me and the shore.